I've been reading through Matthew and verse 14 really caught my attention. Ofcourse my thought went straight to why are many called but few are chosen. Why not ," Many are called but few choose?"
After doing a word study I learned something new: In Matthew 22:14 the word : "Called" is also "invite". So - "Many are invited but few are Chosen". In Rev 17:14 says, "We are the Called, Chosen, and the Faithful."
Or the Invited, Chosen, Faithful ~
I was just thinking of a few women that I work with that I've tried to show the kindness of Christ to them but honestly they sometimes make me want to cause them harm. When I was reading this verse my mind went straight to them. I began having this conversation with the Lord. Asking, why haven't they been saved? What will it take Lord for this one lady to come to faith. Then the Holy Spirit made this connection between called and invited. How many of us have received invitations to something and we allowed things, other events , tiredness, business to reject an invitation.
On a personal note ~ how many times have I rejected an invitation by the Holy Spirit to speak truth into someone's life or do something good for someone because I allowed other things to redirect me. See how the H.S. just took my mind from this lost lady to my own situation? He was saying to me ~ Let's talk about you, Melissa.
As I continued to pray and ponder this more as an application for my own life the Lord brought to mind 2 Peter 1: 5-11.
"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling (invitation) and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. "
I just about began to cry. It was just what I needed - a gentle reminder that Christ is at work in me and that everyday isn't going to be a day of victory but could be a day that I get an invitation and was I going to receive it and trust Him and then ultimately become a partaker in Christ being found Faithful?
But if that wasn't enough the Holy Spirit brought to my mind- Gal 2:20,
" I have been crucified with Christ; and it is not I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave himself up for me."
Today, this week, heck the whole month.... has been a daily reminder that my invitation isn't just a one time deal. It is a daily invite to join my Lord Jesus Christ in the work He is already doing. Was I going to die to self today and pick up my boot straps, put on my belt, helmet, yield my sword and shield and get into the fight?
Heck ya ~ Hoorah!
Today Yes! Yes Lord, I accept your invitation!
What will you do?
